Caster



(No Moden) S. HOOBLER. GASTBR.

' No. 498,Z'71. Patented May 30, 1893.

M /Samwez jazzlgfr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL I-IOOBLER, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

cAsTEa SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,271, dated May 30, 1893.

I Application filed February 18,1893. Serial No. 462.865. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cern,.-

Beit known that l, SAMUEL HOOBLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, (National Home,) in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Caster, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements iii casters; and the objects in View are to provide a caster of cheap and simple construction adapted for use in connection with beds, (especially those in hospitals,) operating-tables, invalid-chairs, and furniture in general, and to so construct the same as to adapt it to readily move over the floor when the object it supports is being shifted from one position to another; -and to provide means fory locking the caster-wheel stationary, whereby the said object is stable and not readily moved by pressure against the sides, &c.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter specified and particu- ]arlypointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a caster constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being shown in connection with the leg of a chair, table or other object. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal sectional View of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the locking latch for engaging the axle of the caster-wheel.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

It will be obvious from the following descri ptioii that the device may be readily manu! factured of any desired metal in accordance with the purpose for which it is to he used and the taste of the manufacturer.

In practicing my invention I preferably cast a cup 1 of inverted cone-shape, providingthe same upon its under side with an integral depending shank 2, at the lower end of which is formed a pair of laterally projecting ears 3. The cup has its bottom provided with a socket 4, and in the same is secured the lower end of a spindle 5, which rises from, the socket to a point above the cup.

6 designates an ordinary chair, table or other leg, and the same has a bore 7 formed in its lower end inwhich is inserted a metal cylindrical bushing 8 provided upon its exterior and at diametrically opposite sides with integrally formed longitudinal fins 9 which engage with the ber of the wood and serve to lock said bushing against displacement. The interior of the bushing is bored as at 10 and is adapted to loosely receive the aforesaid stem whereby the latter is swiveled 1n the former and the caster is adapted to readily rotate upon the bottom of the leg. The ears 3 are providedA near their outer ends with transversely-opposite bearing perforations 11, and in the same is journaled a short transverse shaft 12. The ends of the shaft extend beyond the bearings,- and one end has formed thereon a rectangular or square head 14. To that bearing ear 3 beyond which the head 14 of the shaft is located there is pivoted by a piu orscrew 15 a latch 16, said latch being provided at its outer end with an npturned thiiinb-portion or lug 17, and in rear of the same upon its lower edge with an angular recess 18.

The operation of the device is as follows: Having been placed in position upon a chair or other leg it will be seen that the cup will contain any desired disinfectant or purifying agent that may be necessary and 1t is thus useful iii sick-rooms. Or if the device should be employed on sideboards, cupboards, &c., poisonous substances` may be introduced into the cup and so prevent the access of vermin to such object as is usual. It will thus be seen that this caster will permit of a ready shifting of the object,that is a moving of the same over the door from one position to another as do ordinary casters, and if at any time it is desired to make the objectstationary and not yield to any light pressure, it is simply necessary to depress or lower the latch so that its angular recess engages the rectangular head of the shaft and prevents the rotation of the latter. When it is undesirable to lock the caster, by placing the thumb or finger under the lug at the front edge of the latch and throwing the same to the rear the latch is rendered inoperative and the caster can operate in the usual manner.

From the foregoing description iii connection with the accompanying drawings it vwill he seen that I have provideda caster of ornasaid axle having formed at one end an angular head, o1. a lateh pivoted to one of the forks in rear of tle axle, said latch being provided upon its under side in rear of its front end with an angular recess adapted to take over the head and thus look the axle against rotation, substantially as specified. l

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL HOOBLER. \Vitnesses:

ANDW. MORRISON, NORRIS S. SWAIN. 

